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Alex Bloch
Draft 1
11-8-10
ESL 101/ Stahl
Landfill Analysis
Florida and Georgia have finally decided whether or not to repeal the bans on landfilling yard
trimmings. A disposal ban of yard trimmings was implemented on April 29, 2010. This ban restricts
whether or not yard trimmings can be disposed in landfills with regular garbage. Landfills have to be
separated and processed into composts and mulch. Florida didn’t sign off on this policy because they feel
it is necessary to capture more methane from the yard trimmings and turn it into renewable energy.
Florida’s decision states that the increased methane emissions from the rejection of the ban, will
contribute to the greenhouse gasses in a greater sense than CO2 emissions. Georgia’s decision was
different, in that organics and yard trimmings should not go into landfills because it will harm the
environment. Furthermore, there were statements from different sources expressing their side on the two
different paths that Florida and Georgia took. Like, how Florida is right in what they are doing, or how
Georgia’s decision will help the environment.
Dan Sullivan is a professor of Insect Behavior, Ecology, Biological Control, in New York. He
earned his Ph.D in Entomology from the University of California at Berkeley. His current and
background knowledge makes his magazine article, “Bad News, Good News On Yard Trimmings
Disposal Bans” from BioCycle−May 2010−credible to audiences that understand the efficiency of laws
and understand their importance. This article refers to some political terms relating to the environment,
which may make some audience members, that aren’t up to date with political terms, confused. Readers
of this article will tend to be adults rather than children, since the article doesn’t appeal to children. His
use of logos, pathos, and ethos is generally convincing although each appeal has its flaws.
The writer’s use of logos is supported throughout this article about the advantages and
disadvantages of the ban of yard trimmings in landfills, including the outcomes of two neighboring states.
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Sullivan clearly supported these events with many details and information. Furthermore, the author
quotes numerous sources for their position by including proper citations. Georgia’s supporters say that
methane is a greater contributor than greenhouse gases than CO2, “by a factor of 23 times” (Sullivan 22).
Even though he mentions both sides of the argument, he presents facts that could cause people to question
the actions that the governor of Florida, Charlie Crist took. There was sufficient evidence saying that
Crist’s future achievement is that his state could result in, “75% recycling by 2020… spelled out ways in
which that goal would be accomplished” (Sullivan 21). He wants to give recycling credit to landfill gas
capture, which is one ton for each megawatt-hour produced, to renewable energy facilities using the waste
as a fuel will include the capture of landfills gases. Furthermore, Sullivan explains and informs the
audience more about the law, which also allows landfills to set up recycling operations for materials like
plastic and glass after undergoing a minor permit modification.
Sullivan’s use of pathos is subtle throughout the article. His facts convey some emotion about the
outcome of Florida’s decision. Most of his support for Florida to repeal the ban of yard trimmings is
mentioned through other sources. For example, lobbyists for the U.S. Composting Council (USCC)
called Florida's move: “a step in the wrong direction” (Sullivan 21). He wants the audience to feel angry
and outraged at Florida’s decision to not separate yard trimmings from landfills. The sources seem like
they know their facts based on their profession. Furthermore, Matt Flechter, Recycling and Composting
Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, says that the placement of yard
clippings in the landfill is not their highest and best use of the land. Also, he said there is enough
methane that should be captured from landfills without the yard waste. The writer puts pictures and
descriptions of trucks that help with the composts and the separation of waste products to illustrate how
necessary it is to separate the waste products. The pictures could cause the decisions made by Florida to
feel guilty. To be specific, the author uses an ad from SmithCo which states, “Manure, Slurry, Sludge,
Green Waste, Food Residuals, Compost, SmithCo Hauls it All.” (Sullivan). The author uses more facts
from people of the same position, which could influence readers to support Georgia’s position and not
Florida’s position because there isn’t much supporting evidence stated about Florida.
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The writer uses ethos effectively so that readers respect him. The writer doesn’t turn the audience
off because he keeps his emotions and opinions to himself. Some newspapers have bias statements even
though they are not supposed to, but he doesn’t use bias in this article. The attitude of the writer is neutral
throughout the entire article. To be specific, Sullivan states, “Georgia not only shares a border with
Florida, it shared pending legislation… Although they were both decided the same day, the outcomes
were vastly different” (22). He doesn’t support his opinion with facts or use any personal statements for
or against any of those positions before or after this statement.
Sullivan has flaws in each of the three appeals, which weakens his article. Sullivan doesn’t
thoroughly explain what a recycling credit is, he expects the audience to know. He could’ve used some
clarification like, recycling credits reduce the amount of waste that Ecologists will use to calculate to see
if a Pollution Prevention Plan or a Pollution Prevention Planning Fee is necessary. The author chooses
not to use his opinionated ideas in order to convince the audience of believing him or not. He doesn’t use
any stories that move the audience. The writer doesn’t sugar coat the article with emotion. The writer
has knowledge of this article, because he uses vocabulary and terms that could be hard to comprehend by
some readers. Sullivan says, “A 20-year-old disposal ban on green waste was rescinded with the passage
of HB 569 under the auspices of creating more methane for capture as renewable energy” (20). Some
readers may not know that HB stands for house bill. He clearly knows his material but doesn’t fill the
readers in on all the details.